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NTSB Report
May 3, 1991 · Boeing 727-100QC · N425EX
Windsor Locks, CT
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Windsor Locks, CT
Aircraft
Boeing 727-100QC
Tail Number
N425EX
Operator
Ryan International Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC91FA125
N425EX WAS ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL WHEN THE FLIGHTCREW EXPERIENCED A 'THUMP' THAT RESOUNDED THROUGH THE AIRPLANE. THEY ALSO OBSERVED ERRATIC ENGINE INDICATIONS FROM THE NO.3 ENGINE. THE CAPTAIN ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND STOPPED THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY. THE FIRE WARNING SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON THE NO.3 ENGINE AFTER THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST. THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH THE AIRPLANE'S FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE NO.3 ENGINE REVEALED THE HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSOR DISK HAD FAILED DUE TO A FATIGUE CRACK THAT ORIGINATED FROM A CORROSION PIT. THE SHRAPNEL FROM THE DISK PENETRATED THE ENGINE NACELLE AND SEVERED THE MAIN FUEL LINE FOR THE ENGINE. THE FUEL IGNITED AND BURNED INTO THE FUSELAGE, IGNITING THE 12,600 LBS OF CARGO (U.S. MAIL).
NTSB Probable Cause
A CATASTROPHIC AND UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE NO.3 ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN A FUEL FED FIRE.
Full Narrative
N425EX WAS ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL WHEN THE FLIGHTCREW EXPERIENCED A 'THUMP' THAT RESOUNDED THROUGH THE AIRPLANE. THEY ALSO OBSERVED ERRATIC ENGINE INDICATIONS FROM THE NO.3 ENGINE. THE CAPTAIN ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND STOPPED THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY. THE FIRE WARNING SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON THE NO.3 ENGINE AFTER THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST. THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH THE AIRPLANE'S FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE NO.3 ENGINE REVEALED THE HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSOR DISK HAD FAILED DUE TO A FATIGUE CRACK THAT ORIGINATED FROM A CORROSION PIT. THE SHRAPNEL FROM THE DISK PENETRATED THE ENGINE NACELLE AND SEVERED THE MAIN FUEL LINE FOR THE ENGINE. THE FUEL IGNITED AND BURNED INTO THE FUSELAGE, IGNITING THE 12,600 LBS OF CARGO (U.S. MAIL).
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:53 EDT
Nearest AirportBradley International (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length6846 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-100QC
Tail NumberN425EX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRyan International Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-7B · Turbojet · 15000
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind320° @ 9 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time08:50
Weather SourceWFAC